Joint gap balancing lever and methods of use thereof

A method for performing joint distraction, comprising:

• moving a joint comprising a first bone and a second bone into a first flexion position;
• inserting a joint distraction device into a space between the first bone and the second bone, wherein the joint distraction device comprises:
• a lever body;
• a foot extending from a bottom surface of the lever body, wherein the foot is configured to contact a front surface of the second bone;
• a first plate and a second plate extending from a distal portion of the lever body, such that the first plate and the second plate are separated by a gap, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate comprise a stopper extending upwards from a top surface of the first plate and the second plate;
• and
• a force measurement device positioned between the bottom surface of the lever body and the foot and configured to measure a force of the bottom surface of the lever body on the foot during a distraction procedure for the joint during which a force is applied at a proximal portion of the lever body;
• applying the force to the proximal portion of the lever body to cause a torque on the joint distraction device;
• receiving feedback from the force measurement device related to an amount of distraction force being applied to the second bone at the foot;
• receiving feedback from a tracking system related to a position of the first bone and the second bone;
• and
• using a combination of the feedback from the force measurement device and the feedback from the tracking system to determine an optimal gap distance between the first bone and the second bone.